So I’ve seen some real nice Beall 3 step finishes by a variety of turners including Odie. Bought the system, read instructions carefully, searched Beall on this forum, and then 3 step finished a few bowls after PTO.
But I’m not impressed—not getting the beautiful finish I’ve seen elsewhere.
I need some tips. How long do you buff, say, the outside of a 6 inch bowl? Should it take 2 minutes or 20? How much time on steps 1 and 2? What else do I need to know? Advice is needed before my Beall system is up on the for sale forum.
Alan.....
If you want anyone's specific reply to your posts, you need to do it like this: Use a @ followed by the person's handle, like this:
@Alan Weinberg. It is strictly by chance that I saw this thread, even though you mentioned me by name. Since you did, I almost feel compelled to reply.
You've already gotten some experienced replies to your post.
It would be difficult to give you pointers on how to improve your Beall buffing results, since I know next to nothing of your methods. If you add more specific questions, you can possibly get more pertinent answers. You do ask some questions that I can address, though...
I normally spend about 1-2 hours Beall buffing two bowls, and the size of the bowl doesn't seem to impact the time frame a whole lot....this is more dependent on the intricacy of the bowl, and the species it's made from, than anything else. (It should be noted that I am a very slow worker, who generally does two bowls at a time. I'm very methodical and contemplate every step of every process throughout the entire making of any bowl I put on my lathe. This is a personality trait that probably pans out to me.....as an individual.....probably spends more time doing just about everything, than most other turners do.)
I can tell you that the finish I got with the Beall system wasn't as good 20yrs ago, as it is now. My lathe turning skills have improved considerably since then, too......so, how well your preparation of the bowl prior to bringing it to the buffer, is a critical element to the possible outcome you can expect to have.
I am using a single speed 1725rpm motor for all the buffing steps.
Do not expect scratches to be eliminated with the Tripoli step. I've been very disappointed in this.....even though there are claims that scratches can be removed with this step. It would be highly advisable to depend more on improving your turning and sanding skills, and this is what is going to be the difference in making the Beall 3-step buffing method work for you.
Use the Tripoli (known as "EEE") and the White Diamond very sparingly. Excess compound on your wheels is a major problem with some turners who initially use the Beall system.
With just about anything you can do on or off the lathe with turnings......it takes time, and continually adjusting your processes to improve your results.
You are not going to find anyone on these forums, who has "walked the walk", saying they haven't improved their skills and methods in the past 10 years.
-o-
